Our Burst of Firsts

We have been home from China for two weeks.  All that has occurred in only two weeks makes my head spin.  May I say that I believe our two new daughters are usually adaptive.  They were excellently prepared for adoption.  They were tremendously loved and cared for before they entered our family.  They are astoundingly strong and resilient.

However, adoption is stressful stuff.  Adding children into a family under every circumstance is hard.  As we adoptive families transition into a new unit there are moments that we feel we may break.  We want to pull the covers over our heads and forget about the roller coaster ride we are strapped in to.

I have adopted thirteen children.  I work as an adoption professional and have done so for the past 17 years.  I have hundreds of hours of education training credits.  AND I AM STRUGGLING.  MY FAMILY IS STRUGGLING.  We are finding our footing with our family's new normal. I want to make sure that every family knows they can honestly share that the post adoption transition is a challenge for all of us. 

The first 2 months after adoption are mainly just trying to make it through each day.  We have at least 6 weeks to go to get our "land legs" back.  And while we do this we have so many exciting new firsts to witness, encourage, and embrace.  Here are some of our firsts...

First time on a swing.  Oh the joy of motion in bodies that have not had a chance to experience it before.

A very first homework assignment.  Completed with deep satisfaction and pride.

A first trip to church.  NOT the highlight of their week...LOL!

First swim in a pool!  Jaeya was just a bit too anxious to try so we have been talking about it all week and practicing with our swimsuits in the bathtub for tomorrow's D Day. (Do It Day)  Meisyn was ready to jump in after about 5 minutes of watching the other children.

Meisyn has also learned that holding things out an open car window can result in losing it, like a precious Strawberry Shortcake sticker book.  Bye bye Strawberry. :(

First Easter Egg coloring.  Why on earth they were doing this, they had no clue but they thought it was fun.

First water play.  A huge hit!!  So, off to the Lake On The Hill we go...about five minutes from our house.  We live in such a cool city!

Little arms aren't supposed to bend that way.... but no denying that sweet smile!

First Tinkerbell jammies.  Meisyn was very committed to wearing them to school but alas, Mommy said no darn it!  These little legs just shouldn't be flopping around like this.  Darn whatever is causing this floppiness.

And the finale would be little Meisyn conquering the stairs.  At the top of the stairs is a playhouse of the most motivating kind.  Without demanding attention from anyone, Miss Meisyn scootched her bottom up one stair and then would reach down and drag her legs up to her.  She would swing her bottom up to the next step and again take her hands and draw her legs up to that stair.  15 times she did this until she had made it to the very top.  By then the whole family had gathered to cheer her on.  Then mommy had to move to the sink to busy herself in dishes so that her determined little Meisyn could not see that tears were dripping down Mommy's chin and plopping into the sink.  Oh sweet child.  Your courage profoundly touches me.